AU2019101211A4 - Pet Food Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A pet food dispenser comprising a cylindrical body with a cutter rotatably attached at one end. A pressure plate threadedly mounted to a rotatable rod extrudes the pet food through the cutter as the rod is turned. Once extruded, the pet food can be cut off by rotation of the cutter. Sealing caps at either end allow any unused food to be stored within the dispenser without emitting odours. Figure 1

Description

Pet Food Dispenser

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing pet food, the kind of which comes normally as a roll of meat.

[0002] More particularly this invention relates to a new and unique dispenser which will assist in dispensing and cutting such a roll of food into more comfortable portions for eating and to be able to store appropriately the unconsumed roll of food for subsequent further dispensing at later meals.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0003] In order to place this invention in context, the roll of food, which as introduced above for the most part would be made of meat, generally compressed meat, is described as a pet food dispenser.

[0004] Nonetheless, this invention in the context of what is being claimed for should not be read so narrowly that the food being dispensed from the dispenser is only that for pets but can be used more generally with other foods if suitable.

[0005] In order for a healthy diet for pets, rather than relying upon dried or granulated pellets and blocks of food, fresh meat which is often compressed is made available as a roll of pet food wherein overall this roll of pet food has an appearance of a rather large sausage which is then wrapped in a film to be tied off by an appropriate clamp or twine at each of the respective ends of the roll of pet food.

[0006] When served up for consumption for the pet there is the requirement for the film to be at least removed from that portion of the roll of pet food to be eaten so that it can then be chopped up into the requisite blocks of pieces to make it comfortable and safe for the pet to consume.

[0007] As is to be envisaged, this does create a troublesome task wherein the roll of pet food has to be cut and chopped up on a chopping block or the like to then be placed in the bowl for serving.

[0008] The remaining unconsumed section ofthe roll of pet food then has to be covered again appropriately so it can be refrigerated.

2019101211 03 Oct2019 [0009] As the film which originally enclosed the roll of pet food has been for the most part cut away during the first serving of the roll of pet food, even though one may wrap up the roll again in a flexible film, during refrigeration as the film offers limited coverage over the roll of pet food, odours and the like can still emanate.

[0010] Accordingly it would be particularly advantageous if there was a better way in which a meal from these kinds of rolls of pet food could be cut into blocks and served directly into the container from which the pet would then consume the meal therefrom.

[0011] It would also be advantageous to be able to maintain the freshness of the unconsumed section of the roll of pet food in between meals as it is returned to refrigeration without the adverse effects of the unnecessary release of odours and the like coming from the cut roll of pet food.

[0012] Therefore it is an object of this invention to be able to provide an appropriate pet food dispenser arrangement and a method of dispensing the pet food therefrom said arrangement which can overcome the disadvantages of existing arrangements or at least provide an improved alternative in the marketplace for consumers that has hitherto been made available.

[0013] Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a complete reading of the following specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] In a first aspect the invention provides a pet food dispenser comprising a cylindrical body with a first dispensing end and a second non-dispensing end, a threaded rod extending from the dispensing end to the non-dispensing end and rotatably attached to the non-dispensing end, a pressure plate threadedly engaged with the rod, and a first cutter including a plurality of blades rotatably attached to the dispensing end; wherein rotation of the rod moves the pressure plate along the rod pushing extruding the pet food through the first cutter, and wherein rotation of the first cutter cuts off the extruded pet food.

[0015] Preferably the cylindrical body and the pressure plate are adapted to prevent rotation of the pressure plate within the cylindrical body.

[0016] The pet food dispenser may further comprise a second cutter including a

2019101211 03 Oct2019 plurality of blades fixedly attached to the dispensing end adjacent the first cutter.

[0017] In preference the non-dispensing end comprises a first removably attachable sealing cap through which the threaded rod passes, and the dispensing end further comprises a second removably attachable sealing cap.

[0018] Preferably the pet food dispenser further comprises a transparent window along the cylindrical body.

[0019] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] Preferred features, embodiments and variations ofthe invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope ofthe preceding Summary ofthe Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0021] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the pet food dispenser arrangement in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

[0022] Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of the pet food dispenser arrangement in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the pet food dispenser arrangement looking from the dispensing end ofthe pet food dispenser arrangement to the non-dispensing end ofthe pet food dispenser arrangement in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

[0024] Figure 4 is an exploded view similar to that presented in Figure 4, looking from right to left from the non-dispensing end to the dispensing end ofthe pet food dispenser arrangement in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0025] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used

2019101211 03 Oct2019 throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0026] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail, the present invention provides a pet food dispenser arrangement shown generally as (10). As best seen in Figure 1 the pet food dispenser arrangement (10) includes a main hollow body (12) having a cylindrical shape.

[0027] Within the hollow main body there is a rod (14) which is fixed to a user rotatable section (16) which is located at the non-dispensing end (18) ofthe hollow main body (12).

[0028] The non-dispensing end (18) of the hollow main body (12) is capped by way of cap (22) wherein cap (22) also includes a bore hole (24) in through which the rod (14) can pass so as to be centrally fixed to the the user-rotatable section (16).

[0029] In the preferred embodiment referenced in the illustrations, the rod (14) has a glued interface inside the raised funnel shown as (27) as part ofthe configuration of the user-rotatable section (16).

[0030] Also, the rod (14) at the dispensing end includes an arrow head (91) to assist in inserting the rod (14) into a roll of pet food (not shown).

[0031] The cap (22) provides a sealing for the pet food dispenser arrangement (10) at the non-dispensing end (18) of the hollow main body (12).

[0032] There is a small clearance gap (26) between the user-rotatable section (16) and the cap (22) which covers the non-dispensing end (18) ofthe hollow main body (12).

[0033] The rod (14) also includes collar (30) which rests upon the upper skirt (31) of the defined bore (24) ofthe cap (22).

[0034] The walls of the bore hole (24) and the upper skirt (31) and its engagement with the collar (30) of the rod (14) assists in providing a degree of structural integrity for the mounting ofthe rod (14) within the hollow main body (12) ofthe pet food dispenser arrangement (10).

2019101211 03 Oct2019 [0035] Importantly as part of this invention, there is the pressure plate (34) which as best seen in Figure 4 also has a raised collar (36). The pressure plate (34) and raised collar (36) include a threading arrangement which matches the threads (38) ofthe rod (14) such that when the rod (14) rotates when engaged by a user and the pressure plate is placed up against the end ofthe roll of pet food (not shown) the mechanics of the thread arrangement between the pressure plate (34) and the rod (14) allows the pressure plate to move along the rod (14) towards the dispensing end (20) ofthe hollow main body (12) of the pet food dispenser arrangement (10).

[0036] As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, at the non-dispensing end (18) ofthe hollow main body (12) the cap (22) threadedly engages a series of threads (39).

[0037] The cutting assembly is made up of a first cutter (42) and a second cutter (46).

[0038] As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the first cutter (42) and the second cutter (46) have a general circular shape with a series of blades (63) on the first cutter (42) and blades (65) on the second cutter (46) which radiate towards a central hub or node (67) and (69).

[0039] When the blades (63) of cutter (42) align with the blades (65) of cutter (46) this provides an open position, in that a roll of pet food contained within the hollow main body (14) which has been forced down by the pressure plate (34) which is moving down the rod (14) byway ofthe user-rotatable section (16) being rotated by a user, as the respective blades (63) and (65) ofthe first cutter (42) and the second cutter (46) are aligned then in between those blades (63) and (65) openings (71) and (73) allow for the roll of pet food (not shown) to extrude through the dispensing end (20) of the hollow main body (12) of the pet food dispenser arrangement (10).

[0040] When a certain amount of the roll of pet food has made its way through the spaces (71) and (73) between the blades (63) ofthe first cutter (42) and (65) ofthe second cutter (46) it is then possible to cut these strips of extruded pet food from the roll of pet food into pieces or blocks rather than continuous lengths such as a piece of spaghetti or the like.

[0041] The relative movement between the first cutter (42) and the second cutter (46) slices the extruded lengths ofthe roll of pet food as the respective blades (63) and

2019101211 03 Oct2019 (65) slide across each other during the relative movement.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment shown as best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the first cutter (42) is fixedly located to the intermediate collar (44) with the aid of tabs (52), whilst the second cutter (46) is fixedly located to the turnable collar (44) which is free to rotate with respect to the intermediate collar (44).

[0043] The main body (12) includes internal raised ribs or ridges (54) which engage with corresponding notches (25) of the pressure plate (34), preventing the pressure plate from rotating. This ensures that as the rod (14) rotates the threadedly engaged pressure plate moves along the rod (14) and pushes the end of the roll of pet food towards the dispensing end (20) of the hollow main body (12).

[0044] As seen in Figures 3 and 4, in the preferred embodiment the second cutter (46) is enclosed and secured within the turnable collar (44). The turnable collar (44) is rotatable about the intermediate collar (40) which threadedly engages, shown by way of threads (61) at the dispensing end (20) of the hollow main body (12). The intermediate collar (40) includes a skirt (72) on which the corresponding internal skirt (75) of the turnable collar (44) can rotatably ride thereon.

[0045] Hence in this preferred embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first cutter (42) is fixed and the second cutter (46) is turnable by the user to create the relative movement between the first cutter and the second cutter as part of the overall cutting assembly.

[0046] A lock arrangement is shown generally as (50) which includes an extendable and retractable rod (83) which can be extended to pass through the aperture (84) of the intermediate collar (40) to engage with the slot (88) in the turnable collar (44). The slot (88) is limited in length and positioned such that extremes of rotation of the turnable collar (44) corresponds with the blades (63) of the first cutter (42) aligning with the blades (65) of the second cutter (46). Before extruding the roll of pet food the turnable collar (44) is turned to a first extreme to ensure that the blades are aligned to allow the pet food to pass through. Once the desired amount of pet food has been extruded the turnable collar is turned to the second extreme so that the blades pass through, and cut off, all of the extruded pet food.

[0047] In the preferred embodiment there is also a removable seal cap (48).

2019101211 03 Oct2019

Therefore in between servings the roll of pet food still remaining within the hollow main body (12) can be appropriately sealed, first by the cap (22) at the non-dispensing end (18) of the hollow main body (12) and then once the portion of food has been extruded out from the dispenser and the remaining roll of pet food within the hollow main body (12) is returned to storage such as in a refrigerator, the removable seal cap (48) can be applied accordingly.

[0048] For ease of usability a tab (81) has been included as part of the peripheral rim of the removable seal cap (48).

[0049] In preferred embodiments as shown in Figure 3, a window (56) or other similar transparent covered slots or openings can provide a guide for showing how much product is remaining within the confines of the hollow main body (12).

[0050] Hence during application the starting position would be the pressure plate (34) being wound up towards the non-dispensing end (18) within the hollow main body (12).

[0051] The roll of pet food, stripped of any of its covering film and/or packaging would then be inserted into the confines of the hollow main body (12) so that a first end of the roll of pet food would be pushed up and mounted against the pressure plate (34).

[0052] The user then engages the user-rotatable section (16) and by rotating the user-rotatable section (16) this then moves the pressure plate (34) down the rod (14) by way in the preferred embodiment because of the threaded inter-relationship between the pressure plate (34) and the rod (14).

[0053] As the pressure plate (34) is moving down the rod (14) it then forces the end of the roll of pet food to be extruded thereout from the pet food dispenser arrangement (10) in lengths defined by when the cutting assembly is actioned by the user.

[0054] Advantageously this invention does not simply allow the roll of pet food to be extruded out as continuous lengths.

[0055] The extruding of the pet food can be interrupted by a cutting action which can then cut the dispensed food up in to blocks by way of the relative movement between the blades (63) of the first cutter (42) and blades (65) of the second cutter (44)

2019101211 03 Oct2019 which as introduced above in the preferred embodiment has the first cutter (42) mounted to the hollow main body (12) and the second cutter (46) movable by the ability of the user to be able to rotate the turnable collar (44).

[0056] Advantageously you will also note from the illustrations that the userrotatable section (16), cap (22), intermediate collar (40) and the turnable collar (44) all have user-friendly grasping edges that include scalloped indents for easy handling by a user.

[0057] Hence accordingly this invention provides for a very efficient way in which to be able to dispense pet food into individual blocks reducing preparation time and washing up thereafter and also a more convenient, safe and hygienic way in which to store the remaining roll of pet food in between servings.

[0058] The above described embodiment includes two blades rotating with respect to each other, providing a cutting mechanism able to slice through considerably tough food. However, most pet food is of a consistency that can be sliced easily leading to a second embodiment ofthe invention (not shown) containing a single cutter rotatably attached to the end of the main body. Preferably the cutter is of the same form as per the first embodiment ofthe invention.

[0059] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope ofthe claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion ofthe prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part ofthe common general knowledge in this field.

[0060] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each ofthe stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims (5)

1. A pet food dispenser comprising a cylindrical body with a first dispensing end and a second non-dispensing end, a threaded rod extending from the dispensing end to the non-dispensing end and rotatably attached to the non-dispensing end, a pressure plate threadedly engaged with the rod, and a first cutter including a plurality of blades rotatably attached to the dispensing end; wherein rotation ofthe rod moves the pressure plate along the rod pushing extruding the pet food through the first cutter, and wherein rotation ofthe first cutter cuts off the extruded pet food.

2. A pet food dispenser as in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body and the pressure plate are adapted to prevent rotation ofthe pressure plate within the cylindrical body.

3. A pet food dispenser as in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a second cutter including a plurality of blades fixedly attached to the dispensing end adjacent the first cutter.

4. A pet food dispenser as in any on of the preceding claims, wherein the nondispensing end comprises a first removably attachable sealing cap through which the threaded rod passes, and the dispensing end further comprises a second removably attachable sealing cap.

5. A pet food dispenser as in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a transparent window along the cylindrical body.